Material Choices: Translucent Glass Doors
Let in Light, Keep Things Open — And Maintain Your Privacy, Too
Sometimes in a space you'll need some separation, but a solid door is too much. A translucent glass door can divide space and provide ample privacy while keeping a more open feeling and letting in natural light. Here are some beautiful examples, from shoji screen-inspired doors to semi-reflective glass partitions, for every room of the house.
In a hallway: When I interviewed this designer, she said this door used to be a depressing metal one, which made the entryway to the apartment very dark. She replaced it with this custom made, Asian-inspired door.
As you can see, this door allows the hallway to borrow light from the kitchen, but when closed it keeps the cooking smells from the rest of the apartment.
In the bedroom: This translucent glass wall lets in plenty of extra light yet lets the sleeping quarters remain private. In fact, these doors are used throughout the home, which tie all of the spaces together.
In the home office: These translucent doors allow the office to be closed off from household distractions when needed.
These partitions are partially mirrored and change color in different light. It allows the homeowner to have a separate office space while keeping the loft-like space open.
This home office borrows plenty of light from the hallway window.
In the living room: Not technically doors, this room divider lets the light through while dividing the space with a modern grid.
The use of these glass partitions keeps the space loft-like without chopping it up, the way drywall would have.
In the dining room: Japanese shoji screens are a wonderful way to let in the light without the sun's glare. It creates a peaceful tea-house ambiance.
In the kitchen: Translucent cabinet doors leave a space more open, but you don't have to keep the items inside too-too neat and perfect!
Of course you can always play with such a display. The composition of these kitchen items lets their silhouettes add to the design without looking like clutter.
Here's another way to add translucent glass into your kitchen cabinet arrangement.
In the bathroom: Obviously, privacy is key in the bath, but shoji screens add some Zen-like style and let in more light.
The simple floating vanity, the beauty of the light natural wood, and the shoji screen doors give this bathroom a relaxing Asian feel.
On the garage: Sometimes garage doors can be a real eyesore, but these doors let the garage glow like a lantern at night.
More inspiration:
Design Solution: Japanese Shoji Screens
More inspiration:
Design Solution: Japanese Shoji Screens
